Al-Badawi: Upgrading electricity and water systems and strengthening Gulf integration as a strategic priority
GCC Secretary-General affirms that the electricity and water sectors are a strategic priority, accelerating power and water interconnection projects to enhance readiness and efficiency
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
- The current phase requires accelerating work on several priority tracks, foremost among them the growing demand for electricity and water.
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat, Jassem Al-Budaiwi, affirmed in Manama today, Monday, that the electricity and water sectors represent a strategic priority and a fundamental pillar in the journey of joint GCC efforts, given their pivotal role in enhancing resource sustainability, securing the needs of GCC member states, and raising readiness to face changes and challenges.
This statement came in a speech by Al-Budaiwi during the 31st meeting of the Electricity and Water Cooperation Committee of the GCC states, held under the chairmanship of Bahrain’s Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, Yasser Humaidan, and attended by members of the committee.
He noted that the outcomes of the 19th Consultative Meeting of the Supreme Council, held in Jeddah on April 28, 2026, underscored the importance of enhancing the readiness and capacity of GCC member states to confront crises and challenges, including studying the feasibility of building water interconnection projects among GCC states and continuing to strengthen electricity interconnections. He emphasized the necessity of translating these directives into practical steps and initiatives that elevate joint GCC work to broader horizons of integration and readiness.
He clarified that the current phase requires accelerating work on several priority tracks, foremost among them preparing for the growing demand for electricity and water. He pointed out that total electricity production in GCC states reached approximately 876 gigawatt-hours in 2025, an increase of 9.6 percent over the previous year, while desalinated water production reached about 8.5 billion cubic meters, representing a growth rate of 10.8 percent.
The Secretary-General also highlighted the importance of improving the efficiency of electricity and water systems through the development of production, transmission, and distribution facilities, and expanding the use of modern technologies and smart solutions. This would contribute to reducing losses, improving operational efficiency, and maximizing the utilization of available resources and capabilities.
Regarding GCC electricity interconnection, he stressed the importance of accelerating its projects and maximizing their economic returns. He noted that financial savings achieved from electricity interconnection in 2025 exceeded $952 million, while total savings since the project’s launch surpassed $5.2 billion, reflecting its strategic importance in enhancing energy security, improving the efficiency of the electricity system, and expanding energy trade among GCC member states.
In the water sector, the Secretary-General affirmed that supply security and emergency readiness remain among the core priorities of GCC states. He pointed out the importance of continuing to study the feasibility of building water interconnection projects among GCC states, alongside existing bilateral interconnection projects, to contribute to building a more capable GCC system for dealing with exceptional circumstances and achieving optimal use of available water resources.
